{"id":848,"date":"2025-09-08T20:52:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T20:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g1lro.uk\/?p=848"},"modified":"2026-06-17T08:57:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T08:57:31","slug":"simple-screen-controls-for-allstarlink3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g1lro.uk\/?p=848","title":{"rendered":"Simple Screen & Controls for AllstarLink3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Add a low cost $5 display unit to any Raspberry Pi running ASL3 and gain real-time status and a simple node control menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The screen and software installed in the RLN-Z2 Radio-Less Node, but it will work on any ASL3 node running on a Raspberry Pi.
The RLN-Z2 is not yet in production.. watch this space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What you’ll need:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This software is designed to work on the AllStarLink v3<\/a>.0.20 image it’s unlikely to work on the Hamvoip setup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: <\/strong>this script is not tested on ASL v3.2 so use ASL3 v3.0.20 image on your node.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

You’ll need the LCD\/Button combo from Adafruit, Amazon or AliExpress, this is a 240×240 pixel 1.3″ display with two action buttons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AliExpress Link: https:\/\/www.aliexpress.com\/item\/1005001746881831.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adafruit Link: https:\/\/www.adafruit.com\/product\/4484<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If these links aren’t working anymore then search for “Raspberry monitor Mini PI TFT DA 1.3 240×240<\/em>“. Basically any screen that looks like this one in these pictures will probably work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The display plugs onto the raspberry Pi Header on any Pi version. When you have a display, plug into the left-hand end of the header as shown above. You are now ready to install the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installing the software:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All installation instructions and software are now in Github.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide on this page: https:\/\/github.com\/G1LRO\/ASL-Display<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favourites File<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The favorites file is a simple text file with your node number<\/span>, and up to 6<\/strong> of your most commonly connected nodes that will be accessible from the menu on the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edit the file with the following command at the prompt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

nano favourites.txt<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
In the file you see the default entry (hubnet, parrot etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importantly you need to edit this file to include your node number (change the 99999 entry).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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then, simply add new entries by putting a friendly name of up to around 8 characters (so it fits on the screen) followed by a comma, then the node number:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Do CTRL-X then Y to save the file.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reboot the ASL node to read the new favourites file, (this happens on startup), type this command to reboot:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sudo reboot<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The menu software will automatically load each time the Pi boots up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Navigating with the buttons.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 Due to a slow display driver the software can lag a bit, so be patient and use long presses, maybe up to 1 second <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
There are two buttons:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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  • The top (A) button moves around the screen to select things.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The bottom button (B) acts on the selection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    Enter the favourites menu by pressing button B when the word Favourites is selected.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Press button A a few times to move to the chosen station and press the B button. This will connect to the station and take you to the main screen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    With an active station on the main screen and connected, navigate to the select it with button A, then press button B to disconnect.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Demonstration video of the control panel and RLN-Z2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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